Messiah leads Wartburg after opening session

CEDAR RAPIDS - Messiah (Pa.) College holds the lead after the opening session of the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships Friday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Center.

Messiah had 12 points, one ahead of three-time defending national Wartburg. SUNY-Cortland is third with 10 points.

Messiah went 5-1, pushing four into the quarterfinals Friday night.

Wartburg has seven finalists including former Indpendence prep Ryan Fank (285), former West Delaware prep Brett Yonkovic (157) and former Don Bosco prep Cole Welter, who won by fall at 165.

Coe has two quarterfinalists in Dimitri Boyer at 157 and Ethan Ball at 174.

Cornell's Alex Coolidge is the top seed at 197 and advanced to the quarterfinal with a pin. Luther's Evan Obert, looking for his second straight All-American finish, is the fourth seed at 133 and advanced to the quarterfinals.